EDITOR'S CHOICE

While the Illinois Department of Agriculture and residents of the city's North Side may be on the lookout for the Asian longhorned beetle, in the northern suburbs, they're talking about different -- and very large -- bugs.

Through Oct. 25, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is home to an exhibition of the work of New York sculptor David Rogers. Mr. Rogers uses dried branches, roots, vines, bark and other found remnants of nature to create much-larger-than-life bug sculptures.

The 16 on display at the Botanic Garden -- including three 700-pound ants and a 1,200-pound praying mantis -- are beneficial insects and spiders, and are part of the institution's effort to help bugs escape their bad rap (Asian longhorned beetle aside).

"Bugs are very misunderstood. They don't get a lot of respect, but they outnumber every other species," says Sue Brogdon, vice-president of programs at the garden.

The exhibition is part of the Botanic Garden's effort to bring more families and children to its 385 acres, Ms. Brogdon says. The institution has teamed with other area museums as well as local schools to create complementary education exhibitions and events, all about bugs. One inside gallery features bug-themed student artwork from two Chicago elementary schools, Our Lady of the Garden and Mary C. Terrell School. Other galleries include collections of butterflies and other insects -- including earrings made from beetle wings -- from the Field Museum of Natural History and the Morton Arboretum, along with a live ant farm.

The "Bigness of Bugs" exhibit includes up-close photographs of insects by James P. Rowan. On Aug. 22, youngsters can hear the Russian folk tale "Grasshopper to the Rescue." And three days a week, a large-view microscope will be available for watching bugs do their work in a fruit and vegetable garden.

"Everyone likes ladybugs, but no one is sure why," Ms. Brogdon says. "The exhibit explains how they eat harmful insects and pests in your garden."

Mr. Rogers' giant bugs have been on display elsewhere -- including Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. -- but never in the Midwest.

Since the big bugs' Botanic Garden debut in July, Ms. Brogdon says, a record 129,000 people have visited the garden, a 66% increase in attendance over last July.

On Sept. 27, the garden will sponsor a five-kilometer "Big Bugs Run," which will include a race for serious runners, as well as events for kids, parents with strollers and those who prefer to walk. Ms. Brogdon hopes it will become an annual event.

The "Big Bugs" exhibit runs through Oct. 25 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to sunset; admission is free, though there is a parking fee. Call (847) 835-5440 for information.